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You do have a sense of humor. Were the clumbers that bad? I would love to see one work or is "working clumber" an oxymoron?

Well George, you know how in a spaniel hunt test the gallery walks along behind the judges & handler as they hunt down the course?

I spotted 2 people in the gallery who had brought folding chairs with them & after awhile, I realized they were on to something.

You want me to go on?

"The bird hunter watches only the dog, and always knows where the dog is, whether or not visible at the moment. The dog’ nose is the bird hunters eye. Many hunters who carry a shotgun in season have never learned to watch the dog, or interpret his reaction to scent."
Aldo Leopold, Round River

a cocker is mischievous, clever & willful. They are not for the guy who demands strict compliance but they do worm their way into your heart.

Yes... I had one that lived to be 17 years old. Excellent field dog, tracking dog, and agility dog. If I knew then what I know now, she would have been the foundation bitch for working American cockers. An excellent retriever and water dog to boot. Raised 5 of my labradors. Taught them all to be good citizens!

"The bird hunter watches only the dog, and always knows where the dog is, whether or not visible at the moment. The dog’ nose is the bird hunters eye. Many hunters who carry a shotgun in season have never learned to watch the dog, or interpret his reaction to scent."
Aldo Leopold, Round River

Hmmm! The way those images are displayed Dave, almost 'show' a progression,or regression ,depending on how you look at it?

lol, I'll bet you & I'd agree on which direction it's going. It sure is easier to degrade a breed than to improve it.

I hadn't seen that Gundog article about Tom Ness before. I know Tom from the field trial circuit & the article is very accurate. His dogs are always top notch & he wins a lot. Watching him handle in a trial, he looks like he's just out for an afternoon stroll, hands in his pockets & not a care in the world as his dogs tear up the ground frantically finding & retrieving birds. It's really quite a show.

"The bird hunter watches only the dog, and always knows where the dog is, whether or not visible at the moment. The dog’ nose is the bird hunters eye. Many hunters who carry a shotgun in season have never learned to watch the dog, or interpret his reaction to scent."
Aldo Leopold, Round River